Forb diversity globally is harmed by nutrient enrichment but can be rescued by large mammalian herbivory

Communications Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 8(1)

Published: March 15, 2025

Abstract Forbs (“wildflowers”) are important contributors to grassland biodiversity but vulnerable environmental changes. In a factorial experiment at 94 sites on 6 continents, we test the global generality of several broad predictions: (1) Forb cover and richness decline under nutrient enrichment, particularly nitrogen enrichment. (2) increase herbivory by large mammals. (3) less affected enrichment in more arid climates, because water limitation reduces impacts competition with grasses. (4) families will respond differently mammalian due differences requirements. We find strong evidence for first, partial support second, no third, fourth prediction. Our results underscore that anthropogenic addition is major threat forbs, grazing high herbivore intensity can offset these effects.

Language: Английский

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Shifting seasonal patterns of water availability: ecosystem responses to an unappreciated dimension of climate change

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 233(1), P. 119 - 125

Published: Sept. 10, 2021

Summary Seasonal patterns of water availability can differ dramatically among ecosystems, with well‐known consequences for ecosystem structure and functioning. Less appreciated is that climate change shift the seasonality (e.g. to wetter springs, drier summers), resulting in both subtle profound ecological impacts. Here we (1) review evidence seasonal being altered ecosystems worldwide, (2) explore several mechanisms potentially driving these changes, (3) highlight breadth from shifts availability. We conclude are changing globally, but regionally specific ways requiring more rigorous nuanced assessments vulnerability as well consequences.

Language: Английский

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Moving beyond the “Diversity Paradox”: The Limitations of Competition-Based Frameworks in Understanding Species Diversity

The American Naturalist, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 200(1), P. 89 - 100

Published: March 24, 2022

AbstractOver the past century, ecologists have attempted to understand patterns of species diversity by showing stable coexistence arising from a baseline expectation competitive exclusion. This stems an explicit assumption resource scarcity and implicit assumptions Malthusian struggle winner-takes-all dynamics. Fidelity exclusion principle (CEP) presents as paradox: if compete for limited resources, how can they coexist? In this article, we investigate contradiction between theoretical empirical prevalence multispecies communities. We trace persistence CEP in ecological research despite numerous challenges explore publishing trends suggesting that framework has resulted disproportionate focus on competition contemporary research. From critical science studies perspective, analyze sociopolitical factors contributed these patterns. argue must excavate ideological foundation which competition-based been built move beyond current perceived "diversity paradox." To end, propose shifting research, introducing notion principle, positions communities rule rather than exception nature.

Language: Английский

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Field experiments have enhanced our understanding of drought impacts on terrestrial ecosystems—But where do we go from here?

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38(1), P. 76 - 97

Published: Oct. 31, 2023

Abstract We review results from field experiments that simulate drought, an ecologically impactful global change threat is predicted to increase in magnitude, extent, duration and frequency. Our goal address, primarily ecosystem perspective, the questions ‘What have we learned drought experiments?’ ‘Where do go here?’. Drought are among most numerous climate manipulations been deployed across a wide range of biomes, although conducted short‐statured, water‐limited ecosystems. Collectively, these enabled ecologists quantify negative responses occur for aspects structure function. Multiple meta‐analyses also comparisons relative effect sizes hundreds sites, particularly carbon cycle metrics. Overall, provided strong evidence sensitivity increases with aridity, but plant traits associated aridity not necessarily predictive resistance. There intriguing as magnitude or extreme levels, strategies may shift tolerance escape/avoidance. highlight three areas where more needed advance our understanding. First, because intensifying multiple ways, address alterations versus duration, timing and/or frequency (individually interactively). Second, drivers be shifting—from precipitation deficits rising atmospheric demand water—and disentangling how ecosystems respond changes hydrological ‘supply demand’ critical understanding impacts future. Finally, attention should focussed on post‐drought recovery periods since legacies can affect functioning much longer than itself. conclude call fundamental focus those designed ‘response experiments’, quantifying function, ‘mechanistic experiments’—those explicitly manipulate ecological processes attributes thought underpin responses. Read free Plain Language Summary this article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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Plant Strategies

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 27, 2023

Abstract Plants have evolved a remarkable array of adaptive solutions to the existential problem survival and reproduction in world where disturbances can be deadly, resources are scarce, competition is cutthroat. inherited phenotypic traits that increased their chance success, these indicators strategies for establishment survival. A plant strategy thought as “how species sustains population” (Westoby, 1998, p. 214) because all successful must positive demographic outcomes habitats which they adapted. This book aims articulate coherent framework studying unifies demography with functional ecology advance prediction ecology. Central this traits: heritable morphological, physiological, phenological attributes plants influence therefore drive fitness differences among species.

Language: Английский

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The path from root input to mineral-associated soil carbon is dictated by habitat-specific microbial traits and soil moisture

Soil Biology and Biochemistry, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 193, P. 109367 - 109367

Published: Feb. 20, 2024

Soil microorganisms help transform plant inputs into mineral-associated soil organic carbon (SOC) – the largest and slowest-cycling pool of on land. However, microbial traits that influence this process are widely debated. While current theory biogeochemical models have settled carbon-use efficiency (CUE) growth rate as positive predictors SOC, empirical tests sparse, with contradictory observations. Using 13C-labeling an annual grass (Avena barbata) under two moisture regimes, we found associated formation 13C-mineral-associated SOC varied by habitat, did active taxa chemical composition. In rhizosphere, bacterial-dominated communities fast growth, high biomass, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production were positively SOC. contrast, detritusphere held dominated fungi more filamentous bacteria greater exoenzyme production; there, was slower lower biomass. CUE a negative predictor in both habitats. 13C-quantitative stable isotope probing, majority 13C assimilation rhizosphere at week 12 experiment performed very few bacterial fungal (3–5% total assimilated 13C). Several complementary analyses (13C-NMR, FTICR-MS, STXM-NEXAFS) suggested had oxidized signature, while less oxidized, lignin-like signature. Our findings challenge demonstrating linked not universal, but vary habitat conditions, shaped small number taxa. Emerging explicitly reflect these interactions may better predict storage, since climate change causes shifts regimes ratio living versus decaying roots.

Language: Английский

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Widespread analytical pitfalls in empirical coexistence studies and a checklist for improving their statistical robustness

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(4), P. 594 - 611

Published: Feb. 28, 2024

Abstract Modern coexistence theory (MCT) offers a conceptually straightforward approach for connecting empirical observations with an elegant theoretical framework, gaining popularity rapidly over the past decade. However, beneath this surface‐level simplicity lie various assumptions and subjective choices made during data analysis. These can lead researchers to draw qualitatively different conclusions from same set of experiments. As predictions MCT studies are often treated as outcomes, many readers reviewers may not be familiar framework's assumptions, there is particular risk ‘researcher degrees freedom’ inflating confidence in results, thereby affecting reproducibility predictive power. To tackle these concerns, we introduce checklist consisting statistical best practices promote more robust applications MCT. Our recommendations organised into four categories: presentation sharing raw data, testing model fits, managing uncertainty associated coefficients incorporating predictions. We surveyed published 15 years discovered high degree variation level rigour adherence practices. present case illustrate dependence results on seemingly innocuous among competition structure error distributions, which some cases reversed predicted outcomes. demonstrate how analytical approaches profoundly alter interpretation experimental underscoring importance carefully considering thoroughly justifying each step taken analysis pathway. serves resource authors alike, providing guidance strengthen foundation analyses. field shifts descriptive, trailblazing phase stage consolidation, emphasise need caution when building upon findings earlier studies. ensure that progress ecological based reliable evidence, it crucial subject our predictions, generalisability rigorous assessment than currently trend.

Language: Английский

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Simulated solar panels create altered microhabitats in desert landforms

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 11(4)

Published: April 1, 2020

Abstract Solar energy development is a significant driver of land‐use change worldwide, and desert ecosystems are particularly well suited to production because their high insolation rates. Deserts also characterized by uncertain rainfall, species endemism, distinct landforms that vary in geophysical properties. Weather physical features differ across interact with shade water runoff regimes imposed solar panels, creating novel microhabitats influence biotic communities. Endemic may be affected they often have limited distributions, narrow climatic envelopes, or specialized life histories. We used experimental panels simulate the effects on annual plant communities present gravelly bajada caliche pan habitat, two common habitat types California's Mojave Desert. evaluated soils microclimatic conditions measured community response under open for seven years (2012–2018). found differences site characteristics weather ecological impact community. Panel tended increase richness more stressful this effect was strongest dry years. Shade diversity abundance positive neutral habitat. On panel did not significantly affect decrease abundance. rarely either type, but negative—suggesting rain shadows were important than from low‐volume events. These results demonstrate consequences can over space time, suggest nuanced approach will needed predict impacts differing characteristics.

Language: Английский

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Climatic humidity mediates the strength of the species richness–biomass relationship on the Mongolian Plateau steppe

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 718, P. 137252 - 137252

Published: Feb. 12, 2020

Language: Английский

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The long and the short of it: Mechanisms of synchronous and compensatory dynamics across temporal scales

Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 103(4)

Published: Feb. 3, 2022

Abstract Synchronous dynamics (fluctuations that occur in unison) are universal phenomena with widespread implications for ecological stability. can amplify the destabilizing effect of environmental variability on ecosystem functions such as productivity, whereas inverse, compensatory dynamics, stabilize function. Here we combine simulation and empirical analyses to elucidate mechanisms underlie patterns synchronous versus dynamics. In both simulated communities, show not mutually exclusive but instead vary by timescale. Our simulations identify multiple generate timescale‐specific patterns, including different drivers, diverse life histories, dispersal, non‐stationary We find traditional metrics quantifying often biased toward long‐term drivers may miss importance short‐term drivers. findings indicate key consider when assessing our approach provides a pathway disentangling these natural systems.

Language: Английский

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